This 2019 Year's June Event is
an ABT PRIME Tournament
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NEW
NEW
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EVENTS?
For the ABT Main (Open, Advanced & Intermediate): Double elimination, progressive consolation. Means two chances to win, three chances to cash! All finals are on Sunday and are one match only.
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For the Masters, Amateur & Super Jackpots: High equity, single elimination. Re-buys available for Masters and Amateur.
Hollywood All Stars: Replaces Juniors/Seniors, 7pts, $50. Continuous entries. Trophy.
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Warm Up: One start time on Thursday @3pm - finishes Thursday. 5pts, $50. Trophy.
IS USBGF MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED?
USBGF membership is required of all players in ABT tournaments, including overseas players. Players MUST join or renew before the tournament begins. Walk-ins who are not current members will pay a $50 fee to be processed on site. To check your status or sign up, copy and paste this link in your browser: https://usbgf.org/membership/join-renew/
HOW DO I ENTER A SIDE EVENT?
Enter all Side Events (including Doubles) on site. Payment in cash (US dollars) only.
HOW DO DOUBLES WORK?
​Don't have a doubles partner? Want to play doubles for free? Want to play doubles with an elite player? Of course, any two players may make themselves a team. However, if you prefer, we will pair an amateur (intermediate or low advanced player) with a pro (elite/high championship player). The amateur pays the full entry fee + side pool ($300 total). If the team cashes, first $300 goes to the amateur, thereafter 50-50 split. Eligible players email me and I will pair you and notify you of your partner's name & contact info.
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As soon as you complete registration, email Candace if you would like to be matched for doubles.
WHAT ARE THE FEES?
REGISTRATION FEES
(1) Registration fee is $30. Registrations received June 1 - June 11 are $50. Registration for walk-ins is $75. (2) There is an ABT Fee of $10 for everyone. (3) Walk-ins who are not current USBGF members will pay an additional $50 to be processed onsite.
EVENT ENTRY FEES - Register in advance; pay in advance or in cash at the event
Open -11pts- $400 (Side Pool $150)
Advanced -9pts- $200 (Side Pool $100)
Intermediates -7pts- $120
Masters Jackpot -11pts- $500 (Side Pool $150)
Amateur Jackpot -9pts- $240 (Side Pool $80)
SIDE EVENT ENTRY FEES - Register on-site and pay in cash at the event
Super Jackpot -13pts- $1200 (Side Pool $300)
Warm-up Tournament - 5pts - $50
Hollywood All Stars - 7pts - $50
Knockouts - 7pts - $50, $100, $200
Speedgammon -5pts- $100 (Side Pool $50)
Wonder Woman -5pts- $50 (Side Pool $25)
DMP -1pt- $20
BLITZ -5pts- $40
HOW DO I PAY MY FEES?
Fees paid to Gammon Associates West (Entry, ABT and Registration fees) may be paid through Zelle, check in the mail, or cash at the event. The Awards Dinner ($100) must be paid by June 6th.
Due to new tax reporting requirements, we no longer accept Paypal or Venmo. All U.S. bank accounts and some credit unions offer Zelle. Sign up for Zelle at www.zellepay.com. It's fast, easy, and always free! Make your Zelle payment to Candace Mayeron, PipGal@ca.rr.com or 310-422-1646.
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Mail checks postmarked by May 31st to: Candace Mayeron, GAMMON ASSOCIATES WEST, 8601 Falmouth Ave #417, Playa del Rey, CA 90293. Cash at the event in US dollars only. There is an ATM at the event Hotel.
I LIVE OUTSIDE THE U.S. HOW CAN I PAY?
Deposits are optional for overseas residents including Canada. If you have a US bank account, you likely have Zelle. If you have not yet signed up for Zelle, go to zellepay.com. Any player may pay with U.S. dollars at the event.
WHY IS IT CRITICAL I REGISTER EARLY?
Registering early is to your benefit:
(1) To complete your registration, you MUST have a current USBGF membership BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS. Many of you do not, either because you've never joined or your membership needs to renew. This process can take time, plus we cannot enter you into the Tournament Software until you are active.
(2) We run the high-equity jackpots (Masters and Amateur) on Thursday. There is an EARLY start at 1:00/1:30PM and a LATE start at 7:00/7:30PM. We cannot give out byes in the Early or we would have to later adjust all equities. Thus, I must have a number evenly divisible by 8 for the Early. That means after the 16th registrant, the 17th gets wait-listed until I have 24. Not fun for you and it might not open up.
(3) We run the Doubles Thursday night. This means you must obtain an Early spot in the Masters/Amateur Jackpots if you wish to play Doubles in addition to one of the Jackpots.
(4) We run a Calcutta for Open & Advanced. Patrick starts the groupings two weeks prior to the event. We need the names to balance the Calcutta groups fairly. (A Calcutta is an auction of the players which generates additional prize money.)
DO YOU ALLOW SANDBAGGING?
Playing below one's level ("sandbagging") will not be allowed. Every registration below Open will be scrutinized. Questionable registrations will be compared to the player’s club standings and certain USBGF rankings. If necessary, the registration will be sent to the tournament's Eligibility Committee for a final decision and the player will be notified. If you are still unsure of your skill level, please visit our Skill Levels page (under the SCHEDULE & TOURNAMENT DETAILS tab) or please call the Tournament Producer, Candace Mayeron, and she will be happy to help you make your decision. 310-422-1646.
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​NOTE: Eligibility standards are not as rigorous for the Jackpots, and many Open players are eligible to play in the Amateur Jackpot. Check with Candace.​
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Gammon Associates West tournaments no longer include a novice category. Any “novice” will have to play the Intermediate category. You must know the rules of tournament play, the Crawford Rule, and use the cube. Contact Candace for guidance if you are unsure.
WHAT IS THE COVID POLICY?
Masks are not be required in the ballroom; however, any player exhibiting symptoms will have his/her temperature taken digitally, non-contact. Players with a temperature over 99 or who refuse to have their temperature taken, forfeit the tournament with no refund of fees. If you are sick or think you are sick, stay home. All staff will meet the same requirements and be under the same conditions as the players. These protocols may change if new variants surface.
This section will always have up-to-date information. Guests of players are very welcome, but they must conform to the same protocols before they enter the playing room.
